Metro wants public feedback on two new map designs

WASHINGTON — With Phase 1 of the Silver Line slated to open by year’s end, Metrorail is updating its map.

Toward that aim, the transit system debuted two potential options and is asking for the public’s feedback on which they prefer.

Metro hopes both map designs are improvements on the current map, with increased readability and geographic accuracy. Such improvements were based on customer feedback during the last map revision, the agency says.

They feature thinner lines, shortened station names and consistent street abbreviations. In addition, the words “center” and “heights” are not abbreviated.

The two potential maps differ in the way Blue, Orange and Silver line connections are denoted.

Here is how Metro describes the differences:

Map #1

14 percent thinner lines

Station dot with thin, slightly longer extenders to indicate the station serves three lines

Map #2

24 percent thinner rail lines

New station dot shaped like a capsule to indicate the station serves three lines.

Both versions keep the current target-like symbol for transfer stations that are either the first, or last, chance to switch lines.

The Silver Line will run from the Wiehle-Reston East Station to Largo Town Center when it first opens.

The new map options are designed by Lance Wyman, who also designed the original Metro map. You can tell Metro what you think and offer your own suggestions here.

View the map versions below with an interactive tool, courtesy of Metro. Slide the vertical bar across to compare the versions.